REDDITCH, ENGLAND: Audio contractors, Ansabac, have found an unusual application for the Symetrix SymNet digital audio matrix system – in a West Midlands bingo club.

When they installed the original sound system at Shipley’s Luxury Bingo Club in Redditch, England, the client had specified a custom-built matrix device. “But the company who manufactured it went under, and when the system also went down it was clear we needed an off-the-shelf solution,” said Ansabac’s Phil Parkes.

And so they turned to Fuzion plc’s Tim Harrison, and he in turn recommended Symetrix’ proprietary SymNet system.

“It is often the case that our clients contact us for solutions,” reports Tim. “Ansabac was unsure how they were going to accomplish their routing and digital distribution, and we were able to show them how easy this would be using SymNet technology. At the same time we were able to help them significantly with the SymNet design file.”

The 8 x 8 SymNet system provides the venue with plenty of headroom and programme options, but principally allows them to switch between different playing options such as ‘Main Session’ ‘Party Bingo’ ‘Link Game’ and ‘Background Music.’ All options are controlled from a switch plate, located at the caller’s podium, with latching lamp indication. Music is routed to required zones at the appropriate times, as is the main microphone and ‘checkers’ radio mics. Explains Phil Parkes, “At the prescribed times SymNet basically knocks the live mics out and brings in the music at preset volume levels as the operation moves into ‘Party Bingo.” When the session moves to the National and Link games, SymNet again switches to a different set of criteria, importing centrally sourced audio, which comes in via ISDN, passes through a Codec and is routed by SymNet around the main 500-capacity room. This is divided into different zones (including the Party Bingo area, gaming machines area, toilets and back-of-house). The unit’s own audio is exported via SymNet in a similar fashion. Shipley’s Luxury Bingo is one of several different operations running under the Shipley’s banner.

ABOUT SYMETRIX: For more information on professional audio signal processors from Symetrix and Lucid, please phone (425) 778-7728 or refer to the Websites, www.symetrixaudio.com and www.lucidaudio.com.